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Competing Billed Filed Over Arkansas School Money

LITTLE ROCK — Competing proposals have been filed in the state Legislature over the state’s efforts to reclaim excess property tax revenues from a handful of Arkansas school districts.

Two bills were filed Thursday over the property tax issue, which is on the agenda for the special session Gov. Mike Beebe called to address a looming hike in teacher insurance rates.

Democratic Sen. Bruce Maloch filed a proposal backed by Beebe that would phase out the excess money eight districts receive from levying the state-mandated property tax millage. The money would go back to the state.

House Republican Leader Bruce Westerman filed a competing proposal that would prevent the state from retaining the money.

The state Supreme Court last year ruled that Arkansas law currently didn’t allow the state to claim the money.